Day 5 was mentally draining. Physically, we didn't really do much: we waited around, then rode in a car, then waited some more, met Priscilla, signed some papers, rode in a car again, and then hung out for the remainder of the day in the hotel room. Not too hard, right?

Since we opted to do our shopping on Sunday afternoon, we had the entire morning on Monday to ourselves. I got up early to take care of some work, but as it got closer to "go time" (2:30pm) I found it wasn't possible to focus on work or much of anything else so I took a nap and just paced in the hotel room, killing time until we were ready to leave.

At 2:30, we went down to the lobby to meet our guide, David, and the other family that was picking up their daughter as well. We drove to the Kunming international adoption office which was more like a small apartment in a larger building, and nervously walked inside. We didn't know if Priscilla would be inside when we arrived, or what the plan was, so we were anxious as we walked into the office. There was a girl there (the other family's new daughter), but no Priscilla.

We were told they would arrive shortly so we sat down and watched while the other family began to interact with their new daughter and start all the paperwork. It was awkward because we didn't want to intrude on their moment, but we found it difficult not to stare. The room was not large and frankly, there's wasn't much else to look at.

We waited a long time, but eventually the orphanage director arrived and brought her in. There are pictures of the arrival in Jess's blog post. She took one look at us and, as expected cried hysterically. I would've done the same if I were in her position.

Jess and I took turns holding her while we each did our paperwork. When it was my turn to hold her I walked with her and quietly sang to her. I would like to say that she immediately took to my charm, but the truth is she quieted down but only because she was numb with fear and more or less shut down. Her arms and legs were limp the entire time we had her. Her eyes were active and constantly scanning us and the room, but she didn't move.

After all the paperwork was done (complete with signing many copies, writing a paragraph about why we wanted to adopt, promising not to abandon her and stamping my thumbprint in red ink) we got back into the van and returned to the hotel. I got the pleasure of holding her on the way home. She didn't "cuddle" exactly but she did sit close and didn't try to get away. It was nice. After we arrived at the hotel, we had he rest of the evening to get to know each other in peace and quiet.

As is typical with most Chinese children I've seen, she had on so many clothes she was sweating. After we sat on the floor, we gradually removed her coat, her socks, and her sweater. After she needed her diaper changed, we took the opportunity to trade out her snow pants for some more comfy (at least in our minds) fleece pants.

She was completely fascinated by her toes. I doubt they've ever been free for very long. She continuously wiggled them and moved her feet around. We couldn't resist the urge to gently grab her toes and play with her feet as she moved them.

Jess and I could tell she was sad and a little confused, but we felt she warmed up to us a little. We sat on the floor and patiently played with a few of her toys. Her two favorites of the first day were a red cup, and a plastic panda cell phone that made noise and talked to her.

We tried a few different snacks and also started her on the new baby formula we brought from Spain. Before we knew it, it was time for bed. All three of us were exhausted. Jess put some jammies on her and laid her down in her crib (Actually, it's a pack-n-play provided by the hotel. For a pillow, they wrapped a towel up in a sheet and the same thing for the blanket).

Priscilla went to sleep holding a rice cracker that we gave her earlier. When she was in her crib, and we could no longer see her, she started eating the cracker. It was cute, because she was completely silent except for the crunching of the rice cracker. She ate the entire thing.

After she fell asleep, I had to finish up some work, but then Jess and I both lay in the bed 10 feet from her crib. She talked a little in her sleep; it was super cute.

She slept like a rock star, from about 9pm until 7am the next morning! I couldn't believe it when I woke up the next morning. I think she was just completely exhausted, but maybe she'll be the best sleeper of all our children. :)